dogfight-e.d

twenty two

rey sobs into her mother's chest as mrs banks strokes her hair gently, letting her little girl cry out her broken heart. "I can't believe he would do that to me momma" she weeps bitterly, her voice growing hoarse from all the crying. "me neither baby" her mother whispers softly "he seemed like such a charming young man". "turns out it was all lies, all the dates and wanting to make it up to me" rey says "of course he wasn't actually interested in me...who would? im too ugly, im not good enough".

"now dont you dare say something like that rey banks" her mother suddenly pulls her up so her daughter is looking at her, a passionate look in her old eyes "you may not think you're beautiful because some foolish little boy breaks your heart and makes you feel worthless but thats not true at all. you are the most beautiful thing in my life. you're beautiful. you're intelligent, passionate and the kindest person. just because there are other girls who look a certain way thats praised doesn't mean anything different isn't worth the same response. and I didn't carry you for nine months and raise you on my own for you to just be pretty, you're more than just pretty and not every girl can say that. you're beautiful and what that boy has done does not change that at all".

her mother's words cut deep into rey, the passion in them ringing in her head. she examines them in her head and starts to see the sense in them. her mother's right, rey has so much more to offer than just looking good to others and deep down she has always known that deep down. maybe this whole situation with ethan had to happen for her to realise that, its starting to all make sense to her now.

"you're beautiful and what that boy has done does not change that at all".

"thank you momma" rey whispers softly, her teary eyes beginning to dry now. her mother smiles sweetly at her and gently strokes rey's cheek with her warm palm, easing rey's pained heart. "i think its time i told you something ive been meaning to for a few weeks now" mrs banks then says, taking rey's hand in hers. "whats that?" rey asks and squeezes her mom's hand, trying to not think about ethan and the truth of their 'relationship'. Her mother clears her throat, "well you know we've been struggling recently with money and....its gotten to a point where I cant afford to keep providing the rent for this house and the other bills". rey's eyes widen in shock and she completely forgets about her boy troubles, they now seem so pointless and minor compared to what her mother has just told her. "wha....do you mean we won't be able to live here anymore?" she asks, trying not to sound too alarmed and scared. mrs banks nods sadly, "but its okay because your uncle says its fine for us to move in with him and your aunt until i get back up on my feet, of course that means I have to leave my job here but there's plenty of opportunities where we'll be moving to".

"we're....moving?" rey asks slowly and this sparks a mixture of emotions inside her. she instantly thinks about how she wont have to go to that school anymore, be around those horrible kids, around ethan and she feels relived beyond words. then she thinks about leaving jacob and being in an environment completely new to her and she feels sad as well as anxious. "yes sweetheart" her mother confirms "it'll be a completely new start for us, for you. we can start again. of course i was worried about telling you when i saw how happy you were with ethan and that you would have to have a long distance relationship...but now i think its good to get away from him and what he did to you".

rey chews on her lower lip and nods, accepting this. "when do we leave?" she asks, simultaneously aching to leave as soon as possible to get away from ethan and wanting more time to spend with jacob. "well with the tenants of the house we may have to leave quite soon...maybe in a month or so" mrs banks explains. "can i not leave before?" rey suddenly asks and takes her mom by surprise "i mean...i just cant be at the school anymore momma...i cant be near...him".

her mother nods in consideration, "if thats what you want my love" she smiles "we'll get it all sorted at your school next week and enrol you into a new one as soon as possible. we can go in the next week or so". rey smiles, feeling grateful for this, "thanks momma". she wraps her arms around mrs banks and the two share a sweet embrace. "ill have to explain to jacob...ill miss him so much" rey whispers sadly as she thinks about having to say goodbye to her best friend. "i know baby" her mother says "but you'll talk every day and im sure we can arrange for you to visit him as much as possible or he visits us. it'll all work out".

"fresh start?" rey asks, feeling hopeful but also nervous about the situation but she knows it has to be done.

"a fresh start my little sun rey" her mother confirms.